MarsB 33 Report post Posted December 20, 2011 I got excited for a minute there thinking Amazon was going to start selling hockey gear, lol. Spoiler alert: They do. Or more accurately, other vendors/retailers do through Amazon Seller storefronts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guitarmy 0 Report post Posted December 21, 2011 I know Total Hockey sells through Amazon but it's not the same. I don't get to use my Prime account for free 2-day shipping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iceNsteel 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 The problem I've experienced with local hockey shops, whether it was in Denver, Seattle, or any of the spots I've lived is highly limited selections and limited sizes. I'd be more understanding if I were in need of very large adult sizes, which typically most hockey players don't need and aren't profitable. But I've just seen too many instances of hockey shops that don't have, say medium and large helmets. Many of them are set up to cater to youth players, which is fine, but there is a substantial market for adult hockey players. I completely understand why Sports Authority or Dick's only has youth football shoulder pads and helmets. That makes sense, older kids get their stuff from the school and the number of adults playing semi-pro has been ball is small. With hockey gear that just isn't the case, and it's frustrating as hell to see a ton of kids stuff with a few areas of senior gear crammed into corners here and there like an after thought.As for the displaced worker angle, that seems disingenuous to me. Never seen a LHS that wasn't staffed mostly by college aged, or younger, kids making around minimum wage. That's just how retail work of all stripes is really. If the LHS closes down the kids can go work at Target for the same pay. Might even be better because a larger company like that is more likely to offer something like health insurance benefits to even part time employees.That said, the LHS doesn't have to disappear. It just has to change to adapt to the competition provided by the online retailers in much the same way other forms of niche retail have adapted. Focus on things that the online stores can't provide, or for which same day availability is worth a higher price. I'm not gonna go online to get a couple rolls of tape, and it's nice to be able to walk in with my skates, get them sharpened, and walk out with them. The only LHS within reasonable distance around here doesn't do things like replace eyelets in skates. Not offering those kinds of services is stupid, it's one of the few things the online retailers can't do cheaper. Gear washing, well that's a maybe. I usually just toss gear when it gets to the point that drying it out in the sun or in front of the heater isn't cutting it anymore. But in the current economy a service like that might work well for the tight budget player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tailboard Jockey 25 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 You are right! The customer service is typically lacking and I would not shop their either if I was an Easton skate guy. All very valid reasons! And yes they are terrible when it comes to sharpening! I would go to San Jose Sharpening for that if I lived down in the area. I have to make the drive, at my size ordering online can get really pricey unless I know exactly what I need size wise. What is your closest store?I can spend hours in there!!!I've always gotten great service at XSport, but I won't let them touch my skates for a sharpening. I will only go to SJ Sharpening for that. I live in Pleasanton, so I have about the same length of a drive no matter what LHS I go to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theGhost 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2012 We went quite a while without a LHS in my town or even close by. I am thankful for places like Ice Warehouse that offer reasonable prices, and great customer service! That said, of we had a local shop that carried a decent selection I would by what I could from them, it is nice to be able to try stuff on and see it in person... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fugee 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2012 I don't have access to a LHS, but I am driving almost 2 hours to someone else's LHS to get some of my gear.. hope that makes up for buying gloves on Amazon =X Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pzilla3 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2012 I do my best to give local stores business but the prices at my LHS don't match the service and selection. Nothing like overpriced season old gear and an egotistical owner.I wind up either traveling a couple hours or ordering online. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites